Can you mix different anti-freeze colors?
Did you know that there are different types of anti-freeze out there?If you bought a different kind and want to know if you can mix them, you have come to the right place.
We will break down everything you need to know about the different anti-freezes and let you know what will happen if you mix them.If you are in a pinch, we will let you know what you can do.You will be ready to get your car back on the road by the end.
There are two main types of anti-freeze used for your vehicle, an orange one and a traditional green one.The color can be a good starting point if you want to figure out what kind of coolant you have.
Not every vehicle has orange anti-freeze.You are asking for a problem if you add Dexcool to your anti-freeze.Do not rely on the color of the coolant in your vehicle.
If you can't find out what kind of anti-freeze is in your vehicle, it's best to complete a coolant flush.
The most common type of anti-freeze in vehicles is green.You should double-check your vehicle's recommended service intervals before heading to flush out the coolant every few thousand miles because green anti-freeze doesn't last as long as orange.
Modern vehicles have better and better cooling systems that allow fluid to last longer between changes.Take a peek at the owner's guide to see what it says before you flush your system.
If you use something other than the manufacturer-recommended anti-freeze, you can expect the service intervals to change as well.
There is a product called orange coolant.If you used it, you would only need to flush your system every 150,000 miles.This is a much longer service life than regular anti-freeze.
The only problem is that it didn't always work as advertised.If you open the hood and see orange coolant, that doesn't mean you have Dexcool.Don't rely solely on the color of the coolant in your vehicle.
If you have never flushed the coolant on your vehicle, you can check the owner's manual, but you might be out of luck.If you don't know, you should flush the entire system.
Vehicles that use pink, blue, or gold anti-freeze are more common than green and orange products.It comes down to the manufacturer of your vehicle and the kind of coolant they put in it.
The type of anti-freeze used affects the differences between the two.They are all based on the same substance, but the additives used make a big difference.
If you can't find the exact coolant that your vehicle uses, stop by the dealership or flush the entire system before adding the new one.Adding a different kind of coolant to a vehicle can void the warranty.
The short answer is that you should never mix different types of anti-freeze since there are so many different ones.
If you mix green and orange anti-freeze, they will mix and coagulate.They will get thick and gum up the system.This shortens the lifespan of the coolant and can cause your engine to get overheated and damage your system.
There are some forums that say you just need to go to the shorter lifespan of the two coolants, but this is 100 percent false, and it can damage your engine.Don't mix different types of coolants.
We are not talking about brands here.As long as the brands are the same type, you are still in great shape.
If you are stuck in the middle of nowhere and need to top off your coolant, you have better options than mixing the wrong types of anti-freeze.You are taking a risk by mixing the anti-freeze.
Adding distilled water to your system is all you have to do.A system with only 10 percent anti-freeze and 90 percent water will still only have a freezing point of 26 degrees.
You should be alright if you don't drive during a snowstorm.You're mistaken if you think I'm going to add 100 anti-freeze and no water because I want the lowest possible freezing point.Adding water lowers the freezing point.60 percent anti-freeze and 40 percent water is the ideal ratio.
Adding water is not a different kind of anti-freeze.You will have no problem getting where you are going.